Chap.5. accilyditagtoSc,N1IA T T x E VT. 1x63 Chrift here fpeeaketh) that is, in ourown power, and of our own Non ide, r:ega- accord, let cur yea be yea, rend nay, nay : and let it appear re vo,o, nepe- that ordinarily and in common converfation, our word is as r'srn, ¡ed idea fo'n to be taken as our oath. But when for the glory of God) nee n es»; and cleering of the truth, an oath is required of 1 s, then it is not d xit fernina- our communication, butánothers. And in this cafe, for the ma- gitedam in e nifeflation or confirmation of a needful' but doubtful' truth, an `taau'e0 'qua! oath may be fafely and boldly taken, for an end ofcontroverfies, and fatisfa&ion of neighbours, Heb.6.i6. yea we may lay ittp among ourbef{ fervices, and expeL-1 a blel ing upon it ( ifrightly taken according to yer.4,2.). as well as upon hearing or reading, becaufe it is an ordinance of God, Deut.to. zo, Ifa 65.1ós c. Some of the Ancients, I confefl-e, as Hierom, Theopkylat1, Chry- 1 ffom,wercìn theerrour, that the Lord did only permit'fwearing in t e old Teflamenr (as he did divorcement that he approved nor,) and that in this text Our Saviour did quite take it away. But Chrift carnenot to deflroy the Law, but to fulfill it. Gods holy name is dill to be faneci6ed, by taking a religious oath, upon juft occafion, fc. when either the Magifirate impofeth it, or when fume private perfon will not beleeve a nceeffarÿ truth without an oath, and we cannot otherwife demonf}rate it. Thus Jacob fwarc to La- ban, Boaz to Roth, Jonathan to David. And if it be lawful' in private betwixt two or more to admit God as aJudge, why may he-not as well be called as a witnefhe ? provided ever, that this be done warily and fpariugly, ding it not as food, but as phyfick, to Dan Hill `help the truth in neceffity. Our King Henry 6. was never heard to cenain. fwear an oath; his greaeeft affevaration being, For(ooth,Forfooth, Lot. Serra. in Verily,Verily. my felf have ufed (faith Latimer) in mineearnek 3`1 sued. in matters,to fay Yea by St ALiry ; which indeed is naught. il.lt Ornae. ws, Fo- what(Óever i3 more, commeth ofevil] This is,of the devil. ('ha[ u-ouble- That which St Matthew calL.th the wicked one, chip. 13.3 8. ( the Íome on-, the (ell-fame word with that in this text) S' 111arke calleth Satan, tin - b'rr oc the and Sc Lok',thedevil. N3wcm any good cone out of Inch a Na- Sal, is: ;ai ns. zareth ? Swearing is the devils drivel, and fwearers the devils 4vo- drudges, ailed and agitated by`that foul fiend : And though they ¡ vC3 , Sao be not alwaiesdrunk when they fwear, yet are they not theirown rnça, rout+g. men. For Í¿n-w ye root; faith that great Apoftle, that his ferwants nn. ye are to'ecIorye obey ? His work (wearers do (as thofe Jewsdid , :'' $ in theGofpel) and his waaes-they (hall receive , for they Jall hrre- `J ,r 416y' by into ryperàfe, as (Dinecopies have it, hrrn,5.1. 2, whiles they t,,, r;o M x daily
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